A Lamb Slain

In the glory of eternity pastThe triune, self-existent LORDDwelt outside of time and spaceIn fellowship and sweet accord.

A plan then formed in the mind of God,

His greatness henceforth to share.

He would create a place of beauty,

A masterpiece beyond compare.

His creation would be of great expanse

With wonders of assorted size.

It would also be full of light and loveliness;

To bring pleasure to the eyes.

What diversity He would create!

However the pinnacle of His plan,

Was to bring Him most pleasure –

A creation that He would call “man”.

“Let us create man in our own image.

In our own likeness he will be.

We will make him a living soul

That will dwell for all eternity.”

This human being would be unique;

With incredible intellect and free choice.

He would have fellowship with God

And communicate with a voice.

Thus as creation’s plan did unfold

A note of sadness filled the air.

God knew where man’s choice would lead

And the heartache He would bear.

The Father looked upon His Son

And saw the Lamb to be slain.

The cost of man’s redemption

Would require sacrifice and pain.

“My own dear Son are you willing

To leave the beauty of our abode?

To be veiled in human flesh

And walk a mortal’s road?

“From these glorious ivory palaces

You will be placed in a virgin’s womb.

Then to be born in a humble stable

Because elsewhere will be found no room.

“Your birth will be poorly attended

Only a few will heed the good news.

Although the angels will declare it

Their message most will refuse.

“Few will see you as Immanuel.

Most will mock, scorn and jeer.

Although you will preach the truth

The majority will shut their ear.

“And then, my Son, you will die,

Condemned by Your own creation.

You will bear the sin of all mankind

To bring to them Salvation.”

Thus in silent contemplation

God the Son paused to decide.

The immensity of such a decision

By none could be denied.

Although one fails to comprehend

The decision Christ then made,

We now come with praise and thankfulness

That for all man’s sin He paid.

Judith Searle 2012

A Star of Significance

The star is a symbol frequently seen

During the Christmas season.

Yet what does this emblem mean?

Do people know its reason?

The star’s significance is recorded

By Matthew in the Word of God.

He tells how it afforded

Guidance in the time of Herod.

Eastern wise men studying the night sky

Saw this phenomenon most rare.

They knew this star that caught their eye

Had importance beyond compare.

They understood that a King had been born

Who was worthy of worship and awe.

So from afar they were drawn

By the new star that they saw.

Clearly the meaning of such an event

Weighed heavily on their mind

As they packed their things and went,

The King of the Jews to find.

Who knows how many they told

As they journeyed on their way

But men’s hearts seemed to have been cold

To the truth of what they did say.

Why did others not follow the star?

Did they not know the prophecy?

Were they not awaiting the Messiah?

Surely the star they too did see!

I am sure that the wise men defended

The uniqueness of their find

Yet Jesus’ birth was poorly attended

By self-focused humankind.

They alone found the Promised One

By following the guiding light.

They presented their gifts to God’s Son

And experienced true joy that night.

Sadly, people have not changed in our age,

And although the Gospel light they see

Many stubbornly refuse to pay homage

To the God of eternity.

Even though there are signs all around

And many prophecies proven true,

Mockers and scoffers do abound

But genuine seekers are few.

So, as Christmas time comes this year again

Will you truly consider anew,

The story of the wise men

And what Christ means to you?

By Judith Searle 2011

Christmas Expectation

The anticipation rises as nears the day.

Eager eyes watch the time pass away.

Eager hands prepare presents and treats.

Eager mouths water over puddings and sweets.

Eager noses smell hot turkey roast.

Eager minds plan what they like most.

Eager children spy gifts under a tree.

Eager adults await the arrival of family.

Indeed, Christmas Day brings eager expectation

In homes and lives throughout our nation.

Yet this expectation does but dim

In comparison to that of Simeon.

To this devout man it was made known

That the Messiah to him would be shown.

He knew with assurance that he would not die

Until on the Lord’s Christ he cast his eye.

How he would have awaited with eager face

The greatest event that ever took place.

Indeed, what joy Simeon knew

When God’s promise to Him finally came true.

So this Christmas time while most people await

The temporal pleasures that accompany the date,

May you instead be as Simeon of old

And onto a greater confidence hold.

May your expectation and fervent hope be

In that which will last for eternity

And may you with joy anticipate the day

When this world with its sorrow will pass away.

Indeed, you too will then look upon the face

Of the one who offers salvation by His grace.

By Judith Searle 2009

Consider Him This Christmas

This Christmas time consider Him

Whose birth we celebrate.

Consider Him as your God

Who divided a portion with the great.

Yet also as a Man of Sorrows

Who endured man’s mocking and hate.

Consider Him who in the form of God

Took a servant’s place.

Who did all that pleased the Father

Yet men scorn His offer of grace.

Consider Him who angels worshipped

But men spat upon His face.

Consider Him who left the Shekinah glory

And His Father’s throne on high;

Away from the inconceivable beauty

Of His glorious home in the sky.

Leaving the unbroken fellowship

To be forsaken and to die.

Consider Him who fasted and wept

Although He was the Living Bread.

Who also as the Water of Life

In agony, “I thirst,” He said.

Consider Him who possessed all things

Yet had nowhere to lay His head.

Consider the babe in Bethlehem,

Although He was born so long ago,

He still holds the only answer

To man’s sorrows, fears and woe.

Do you this Christmas time

Him as your Saviour know?

By Judith Searle 2008

Could This Be Your Last Christmas?

Christmas time has come once more,

As another year rolls past.

Will this one be as those before,

Or could this Christmas be your last?

A melancholy thought you say

For such a happy time of year.

And yet, my friend, I hope and pray

That this message brings you cheer.

For the true joy of the season

Is the hope of life ahead.

To save the lost was the reason

Christ lay in a manger bed.

So many now disregard

The good news of Christ’s birth.

Man’s heart has become so hard

Here and throughout the whole earth.

The Lord has numbered our days.

This Age of Grace will soon end.

Will you consider your ways,

And look to Jesus, my friend?

In Him alone you can know

That if this Christmas were your last

Then your soul to heaven would go

And all earth’s sorrow would be past.

Please harken to this good news –

The Gospel of Christ, God’s Son.

Why would you your precious soul lose

By rejecting what Christ has done?

Don’t let Satan convince you

To wait for another day.

Before this Christmas time is through

Come to Jesus Christ while you may.

By Judith Searle 2010

Holy Nativity

Christmas time is here once more,

As a quick look around does show.

Lights, displays and decorations galore;

Christmas cheer everywhere you go.

Many a display has my eyes allured

As I sought for a scene most dear.

In some I found it in a place obscured,

But in others it did not even appear.

Where is that lowly resting place?

That stable, humble and bare?

Where is a mother’s smiling face

And the worshippers that gathered there?

Has Christ been removed from the season

That bears His own name?

Can people really have forgotten the reason

Why to earth the Saviour came?

Do they think that Santa’s giving

Could surpass that of God on high,

Who sent His Son among the living

To on a cruel cross die?

Why have people forgotten this birth

That offers eternal life to everyone?

How can they seek peace on this earth

If it’s not through God’s own Son?

So, with a challenge let me conclude

For all those who this message hear.

Let’s restore that nativity, poor and rude,

To central prominence this year.

By Judith Searle

No Christ In Christmas

If there was no Christ in Christmas,

What cause would there be to sing?

No angel refrain to repeat

Hailing the birth of a King.

No peace on earth, good will to men

Or bright star above the stall.

No gifts of gold, myrrh, frankincense;

No story to tell at all.

Why give gifts if the greatest gift

Was not by God given first?

What cause is there to celebrate

In a world that’s still sin-cursed?

If you take Christ from the season

There is no freedom from sin.

No hope for this world or the next

If Christ’s birth is not left in.

However, Christ’s birth did occur.

He can save us from our fate.

Eternal life is ours in Him –

This is cause to celebrate!

By Judith Searle

The Christmas Star

Atop the Christmas tree would seem bare

If a star were not placed there.

A pretty decoration this may be

But what does this star mean to me?

More than two thousand years ago

A significant star began to glow.

Wise men rejoiced to see this star

And willingly they traveled afar,

For a King was born they now knew

Whose birth they awaited to come true.

Such a birth was gloriously foretold

By many of the prophets of old.

“King of the Jews” He was named

And angles His birth proclaimed.

The men followed on to Bethlehem

As the star faithfully led them.

And, what precision, it showed them the place

Where they saw the King, face to face.

Although regal apparel He did not wear

And the place where He stayed was notably bare,

They did not doubt that this was whom they sought

And they gave Him the lavish gifts they brought.

They worshipped Him and they adored

This babe who was Christ the Lord.

Although this star is no longer in the sky,

We know that Jesus came and He did die.

He was the King despite His humble birth

And He will still one day rule the earth.

He came then sin’s punishment to pay.

By His shameful death He made a way

To reconcile a sinful, fallen race

To their maker, by His grace.

So, will you like the wise men be -

Eager Jesus to know and to see?

Will you worship Him as your Lord?

Is His name by you adored?

May the star atop your Christmas tree

Lead you to the King eternally.

By Judith Searle 2007

To Seek and To Save

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.Luke 19:10

In a manger a baby lay,

Whose birth we celebrate on Christmas day.

Born in a stable because in an Inn,

There could be found no room for Him.

This babe was Jesus Christ, God's Son,

The Messiah, the Promised One.

Who came to earth as the Son of Man,

To fulfil God's part in the redemption plan.

To seek and to save was why He came,

To die on a cross in agony and shame.

Only through Christ dying and rising again,

Could new life be given to sinful men.

So this Christmas time amongst all the mirth,

May we not be as the Innkeeper at Christ's birth.

Instead may we remember the babe who in a manger lay,

And why He was born that glorious day.

By Judith Searle

A Christmas Gift

Look beneath your Christmas treeWhat is it that you there see?Are there gifts piled up highTo bring a sparkle to your eye?Or is that space sadly bareFor you have only little to share?No matter what your answer beA Christmas gift awaiteth thee.

This gift is one of great worthAnd came in the form of the lowly birthOf the Messiah, which was foretoldBy the godly prophets of old.God’s own dear Son on earth was bornUpon that first Christmas morn.Such a birth we now recallFor it is a special gift to all.

This gift which God did giveProvided a way that man might liveFor eternity in heaven so fairWith the angels singing there.For each of us deserves Hell’s distressBecause of our vile sinfulness.But Christ was born to pay sin’s priceBy offering His life as a sacrifice.

So, when you look beneath that treeRemember the gift offered thee;Wrapped with mercy and with love,Presented by the Father above.Accept God’s gift offered you,And experience life anew.What better Christmas gift could one giveThan forever with Christ to live?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

By Judith Searle

A Special Birth

I was passing through the shopping mall,Now brightly decorated with red and green.Bells and bows hang from trees so tallAnd displayed in a window is the manger scene.A group of shepherds fill the space,With cows, donkeys and some sheep.There’s Mary and Joseph, with beaming face.Eyes all focused on a baby asleep.Why such attention given to this birthOccurring in such a humble, meagre place?With all of the baby’s born on earthWhat was so special in this case?

The shepherds in the scene standing byKnew this baby to be unique.They had seen angels fill the sky.Their words led them the child to seek.They sang of peace and good willAnd told tidings of joy exceeding.A Saviour was born, the Scriptures to fulfil,They found Him, according to the angel’s leading.In the City of David, in a manger bare,Wrapped in swaddling clothes so poor,Christ the Lord was lying there.He was the Saviour they were sure.

So why such a lowly birthplaceFor One of Whom the angels’ sing?It was all because of God’s graceThat Christ came not as a King.This humble birth was to preludeA life of rejection and scornAnd then, as the Psalmist did allude,His hands and feet were torn.For no crime He was crucifiedAnd by the Father He was forsaken.There between transgressors He diedAnd to a tomb His body was taken.

Thankfully in the tomb He did not stayBut proved Himself to be God’s Son.He rose again the third day;Over death the victory He won.This is why He had to come to earth -Eternal life He was to give.For we cannot get to heaven by our own worthBut by faith in Christ we may live.He came to die to pay sin’s priceSo that death need not hold fear.Please, look not lightly on Christ’s sacrificeWhen you celebrate Christmas this year.

By Judith Searle

Born To Die

"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

Amidst the festivities,The laughter and joys.Amidst the presents,The decorations and toys.Amidst the reunions,The carols and talk.Amidst the plum pudding,The turkey and pork.Amidst all of those thingsThat comprise the season,Ensure that you reflectOn Christmas’ real reason.

For on this day we recallThe birth of a King,Who would live His human lifeIn humility and suffering.This King was Jesus Christ,The Son of the Most High,Who came to earth to save sinnersAnd was born so that He might die.

By Judith Searle 2000

Christmas Greeting

This greeting now comes your wayWith good wishes and a prayer,That you may have a blessed Christmas dayAs God’s gift of love you share.May the Christmas message ringFrom within hearts of joy;Proclaiming how our gracious KingCame to earth as a humble boy.And may you know God’s wondrous peaceWithin the new year ahead;That His blessings may not cease,As by Him you’re daily led.

By Judith Searle 2006

Gaze in Wonder

Let us for a moment

Place in our mind’s eye

The image of the cross

On which Christ did die.

Gaze on it with wonder;

Stop and meditate.

See the form there clearly;

Look and contemplate.

Stare closely at the cross;

What details come to you?

Can you see a body

In your field of view?

Beaten, broken, bleeding,

His strength failing fast,

Hanging in agony,

Soon to breathe His last.

Do you look on this scene

And feel grieved within?

Do you believe that Christ

Died there for your sin?

What sacrifice He made!

What love there was shown!

Why do men hide their face

And the Lord disown?

Does this scene bring you peace?

Knowing that in love

Christ did reconcile us

To our God above.

He made a way for us

To enter Heaven’s rest

And through His righteousness

We’ll be forever blessed.

Oh what joy the cross brings

To those who understand

That before the world was

Its purpose was planned.

For God would not leave us

Without hope and lost

But for redemption

Christ’s blood would be the cost.

Does the cross show anything

To you on this day?

Would you gaze upon it

Then hasten on your way?

Would you forget quickly

The image there seen?

Not wanting to accept

What Christ’s death does mean.

Oh be not self-deceived

But linger awhile still.

See how victory was gained

According to God’s will.

For Christ’s no longer dead –

He arose again!

He lives to intercede

On behalf of men.

May the cross be precious

To your mind and heart.

May its blessed message

From you not depart.

Let it now and ever

Bring you joy and peace.

From its contemplation

May you never cease.

By Judith Searle 2012

One Thought For Christ

That time of year is here again;

How quickly it comes around!

Time off work, a long weekend;

How wonderful it all does sound.

A game of sport or a visit with friends

Or just time to relax and unwind.

Good Friday comes and swiftly ends

And amidst it all you may find:

Not one thought for Christ today.

Oh, maybe you to church did go

As is tradition this time of year.

You sung part of a hymn you know

And sat back the message to hear.

But when the service came to a close

What of the message did you recall?

Did you hear that Christ died and arose?

Were your thoughts turned to Christ at all?

Not one thought for Christ today.

Maybe you ate a hot cross bun

As you would any other meal.

But did you think of God’s Son,

And how your indifference makes Him feel?

He who left His glorious state

And took upon Himself the likeness of men.

Who lived as a servant, facing men’s hate,

Preaching the only way to get to heaven.

Not one thought for Christ today.

Many believed Him and His word,

Seeing His miracles and love He gave.

But others rejected what they heard

And refused to believe His power to save.

With cruel hands, in envy and hatred,

With false witness He was tried.

Bruised and beaten, to Calvary led

And among transgressors He was crucified.

Not one thought for Christ today.

Of His agony, we can never know,

As He became a sacrifice for us.

What love for sinners He did show,

As willingly He suffered thus.

The crowd around did mock and stare

But it was for them He died.

Only love could have kept Him there

As, “Forgive them Father,” He cried.

Not one thought for Christ today.

Oh, you who these words hear,

How does knowing this make you feel?

Will you ignore, or mock, or jeer?

Or will you humbly before Him kneel?

Think on that sacrifice made.

Confess your sin and to Him pray.

For you sin’s price He paid;

Give a thought for Christ today.

By Judith Searle

The Contemplation of Mary

“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

Carefully the child I do lay

Upon His bed of simple hay.

Perfect in shape and size;

With bright, shining eyes,

Tiny hands, well-formed toes,

Endearing ears and button nose.

Oh miraculous child divine!

I dare not claim Thee as mine.

Son of the Highest Thou art.

Who am I to have played a part?

Yet in my womb He has grown

Although no man I have known.

How will Joseph and I provide?

Will all the babe’s needs be supplied?

How can our humble lives intertwine,

With the life of One Divine?

Yet the Almighty made this choice

And in His plan I do rejoice.

Now here He rests in unknown stall.

Helpless, innocent and small.

Yes, angels did His birth declare;

These glad tidings they did share.

But to whom did this sight appear?

Only lowly shepherds gathered near.

How will His coming be fully shown?

When will His glory to all be known?

Surely God’s Son deserves more than this.

Truly something must be amiss!

Yet, what is it that I expected?

Certainly not that He be neglected.

Could the miracle of Jesus’ birth

And His presence here on earth

Mean so little to mankind

That in this birth they would not find

A reason to in thankfulness bring

Their hearts and lives to the King?

Certainly Mary could thus have thought

After the news the shepherds brought?

Moreover what would she think today

If she lived to witness the way

People continue to be the same

In caring not that Jesus came?

So, this Christmas time may it not be

That you overlook the Nativity.

Give the Saviour His rightful place

And His Salvation now embrace.

Think of the great sacrifice He made

When in that manger He was laid.

By Judith Searle 2014

Whom Say Ye That I Am?

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:15-16

God came to Mary, a virgin most fair;Faithful daughter of the Jewish race,Miraculous tidings to declare –Oh, joyous gift of God’s grace!

She would conceive and bear a sonAlthough she was as yet unwed.The child would be a special OneWhose birth was long expected.

The prophets had oft foretoldOf a coming, glorious King.All authority He would holdAnd peace to earth He would bring.

He would come of David’s seedWith the right to the throne.In the book of Micah we do readThat His birthplace was foreknown.

Coming from the tribe of JudahHe would be called a Nazarene,Blessed of God, Deliverer,The One who has always been.

In time Mary’s miraculous son,Chosen Redeemer from the fall,Did in great humility comeTo be born in a simple stall.

Angels did this birth proclaimTo shepherds watching on a hill.Emmanuel would be His name –Bringer of peace and goodwill.

The Messiah was expected.Every prophecy the Jews knew.But Jesus’ birth was neglectedBy all but a select few.

In Joseph’s home He came to ageLearning the carpenter’s trade.Earning but a modest wage,Little heed to Him was paid.

Then in due time, as the Spirit led,His foreordained ministry started,Of freeing the captive, raising the deadAnd healing the broken hearted.

He went about doing unmatched goodAnd many heard the things He said.Although few really understoodAnd others were soon offended.

Scores said He was a “noble man”.“A worker of miracles” some express.Others perceived “a prophet raised again” - John the Baptist or Elias.